NEW HAVEN, Conn., March 7, 2006 – James Blake, defending Pilot Pen men’s champion, US Open quarterfinalist and newly crowned Las Vegas champion, has committed to Pilot Pen Tennis presented by Michelob ULTRA, a US Open Series event and part of the ATP Tour and Sony Ericsson WTA Tour, it was announced today by Anne Worcester, tournament director.

Blake, who has now reached a career high of No. 14 in the ATP world rankings, becomes the first ATP Tour player to commit to the Pilot Pen, set for August 18-26, 2006 at the Connecticut Tennis Center at Yale. The tournament will finish on Saturday this year, with the women’s final taking place in the afternoon and the men’s final at night.

“Having our defending champion commit to the tournament this early in the year is a strong statement about what fans can expect from the 2006 Pilot Pen,” said Worcester. “James’ meteoric rise in the rankings will make it even more exciting for fans to join the J-Block and cheer on the hometown favorite at this year’s Pilot Pen.”

Blake’s nationally recognized and boisterous cheering section, dubbed the “J-Block” by the Pilot Pen officials, will likely grow in size this year, so fans should get their tickets early. Ticket packages go on sale Wednesday, March 15, and range from Weeklong Box Seats (the best seats in the house for all 15 sessions starting at $400/seat) to the Family Four Pack (four middle tier tickets for the session of your choice, 4 hot dogs, 4 sodas and two tournament posters starting at $64).

“I was proud to participate in the return of men’s tennis to Connecticut last year at the Pilot Pen. I grew up in the area, was a ballboy at the Pilot Pen and I am proud to now be the defending champion. What an experience!” said Blake. “To be able to win in front of my friends and family is one of my greatest memories to date. It was a big turning point for me and propelled me to my great finish at the US Open and then throughout the rest of 2005.”

Blake followed up his magical Pilot Pen run last year by reaching the US Open quarterfinals and winning the tournament in Stockholm, Sweden and started off 2006 with a win at Sydney. This past weekend he added another trophy to his collection with a three-set victory over Lleyton Hewitt in the finals of the Tennis Channel Open in Las Vegas, Nevada.

For a more information about the tournament or a ticket brochure, please call the Pilot Pen Tennis Box Office, 888/99-PILOT, 203/776-7331, or log on to www.pilotpentennis.com.